Lightning in Her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

 Book Excerpt:

"Gifted—or cursed—with the power to influence the weather, one woman must embrace her wild heart in the following electric romance from the author of Witch of Wild Things.

Teal Flores is desperate for control over her gift of weather and a date to her ex's wedding. The first is only possible once she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.

Carter needs Teal, too. His chance of receiving an inheritance depends on his marriage by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.

Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she's searching for. But along the way, they'll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm."

Title:  Lightning in Her Hands

Author:  Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Publisher:  Berkley

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four
Review:

"Lightning in Her Hands" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

My Perception:  

'Lightning in Her Hands' was a good read about three sisters, a mother, and magic. There is another book I didn't read, but you can keep up with what is going on without reading the first book, 'Witch of Wild Things. 

Teal, one of the sisters, seems to have had her magic broken by her mom. What was that all about? Why was Teal wanting to get her control of her magic back at this time? Well, a best friend named Carter wants to mend their relationship, and when he presents a fake proposal, she accepts. Be ready for a journey that these characters will go on. I will say the two main characters [Teal and Carter]were something else in all the presented trauma. There will be 'trauma, neglect and abuse' that will continue, but I will stop here and say you must pick this story up and see how well this author presents magical realism, especially if you like magic in one's intriguing romance.   

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Christmas to Remember A Novel by Beverly Jenkins

 Book Excerpt:

"NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to her beloved Blessings series with a Christmas wedding in Henry Adams, Kansas.

Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi "Mal" July has had its ups and downs. But now they're finally ready to say, "I do."

Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing and families, both local and extended, begin to gather for the festivities, that long-awaited walk down the aisle looks like an obstacle course.

But Mal and Bernadine's relationship isn't the only one being tested.

Preston Mays, aka Brain, loves his girlfriend as much as he does physics, but his heart is broken when she decides being a couple is no longer a good thing. Will connecting with his bio dad's family ease his pain?

Reverend Paula Grant has patiently waited for God to send her someone to share her life. When the town's charming new chef arrives, she wonders if he could be the one.

And then there's former mayor Riley Curry, who throws a parade with his hog Cletus! There's always a lot going on in Henry Adams, and this will be a Christmas to remember."

Title: A Christmas to Remember
Author: Beverly Jenkins
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager, William Morrow Paperbacks
Series: Blessings Book 11
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"A Christmas to Remember" by Beverly Jenkins
My Sentiments:

'A Christmas to Remember' was a lovely read about what happened during this Christmas season in the small town of Henry Adams, Kansas. The story was standalone; however, I suggest that you read the series because there are many characters that I would like to know more about. This is series eleven. But it was still quite an exciting story. It had plenty of drama with emotions all over the place where we see people coming and going in the fantastic town along with some great people.

It was a beautiful read of how this town showed the reader how this place was getting ready for this holiday season...with couples that found love, forever homes for foster children, and big plans for this Christmas season. How will things go for Henry Adams as the new chef, Thornton Webb, who arrives a little early? I don't want to leave out Mayor Sheila, Rev. Paul Grant, Bernadine Brown, Malachi July, Tina Craig, and other interesting characters that give the readers one fantastic series. This was indeed 'A Christmas to Remember' for the town of Henry Adams.

Thank you to Net Gallery and the publisher for the early ARC read and for giving my opinion.

The Scent of Burnt Flowers A Novel by Blitz Bazawule

 Book Excerpt:

"Fleeing persecution in 1960s America, a Black couple seeks asylum in Ghana, but fresh dangers and old secrets threaten their newfound freedom in this hypnotic debut novel.

“I am truly blown away by this novel.”—Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times bestselling author of Red at the Bone

When the windshield of his Chevy Impala shatters in a dark diner parking lot in Alabama, Melvin moves without thinking. A split-second reaction marrows in his bones from the days of the war, but this time it is the safety of his fiancé, Bernadette, at stake. Impulse keeps them alive, and yet they flee with blood on their hands. What is life like now that they are fugitives? Pack passports. Empty bank accounts. Set their old life on fire. The couple disguises themselves as a pastor and a reluctant pastor’s wife who’s hiding a secret from her fiancé. With a persistent FBI agent on their trail, they travel to Ghana to seek the help of Melvin’s old college friend who happens to be the country’s embattled president, Kwame Nkrumah.

The couple’s chance encounter with Ghana’s most beloved highlife musician, Kwesi Kwayson, who’s on his way to perform for the president, sparks a journey full of suspense, lust, magic, and danger as Nkrumah’s regime crumbles around them. What was meant to be a fresh start quickly spirals into chaos, threatening both their relationship and their lives. Kwesi and Bernadette’s undeniable attraction and otherworldly bond cascade during their three-day trek, and so does Melvin’s intense jealousy. All three must confront one another and their secrets, setting off a series of cataclysmic events.

Steeped in the history and mythology of postcolonial West Africa at the intersection of the civil rights movement in America, this gripping and ambitious debut merges political intrigue, magical encounters, and forbidden romance in an epic collision of morality and power."

Title: The Scent of Burnt Flowers
Author: Blitz Bazawule
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Scent of Burnt Flowers" by Blitz Bazawule

My Assessment:

'The Scent of Burnt Flowers' was an exciting story that one must keep up with because it goes back and forth in many of its scenes. The story is presented with mythical creatures and events that will leave one thinking a lot about what is going on in the story. We find the story is combined with a triangle love story [Melvin, Bernadette, and Kwesi], chasing fugitives by an agent [FBI Agent Huges] that didn't obey what he was told to do by his authorities, and by the end of the story terrible things happened to them through devastation. I will stop here and say this author puts together quite a read that you will have to pick up 'The Scent of Burnt Flowers' to see how this played so well in how this story will come together. Somewhat by the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture by Zeba Blay

 Book Excerpt:

"An empowering and celebratory portrait of Black women—from Josephine Baker to Aunt Viv to Cardi B.

In 2013, film and culture critic Zeba Blay was one of the first people to coin the viral term #carefreeblackgirls on Twitter. As she says, it was “a way to carve out a space of celebration and freedom for Black women online.”

In this collection of essays, Carefree Black Girls, Blay expands on this initial idea by delving into the work and lasting achievements of influential Black women in American culture--writers, artists, actresses, dancers, hip-hop stars--whose contributions often come in the face of bigotry, misogyny, and stereotypes. Blay celebrates the strength and fortitude of these Black women, while also examining the many stereotypes and rigid identities that have clung to them. In writing that is both luminous and sharp, expansive and intimate, Blay seeks a path forward to culture and society in which Black women and their art are appreciated and celebrated."

Title:  Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture

Author:  Zeba Blay

Publisher:  St Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture" by Zeba Blay

My Opinion:

This author gives the reader a beautiful collection of essays that will leave you to ponder over long after the read. Wow, she hits it when giving us a good explanation of what pressure and what it's like to have a black body and see how our world sees all of the expectations that have been set on them in our society and pop culture... Now, why is that?  

This novel gives the reader input on 'subjects such as racism, colorism, fatphobia, mental health, sexuality and what it means to be a black girl.' It was engaging learning about this author's persona regarding her own experiences, thoughts, and how well they relate to the subjects so well in an honest way. For it is essential that this type of information is put out there to be shared.  

Be ready for a well-written read that shares a 'reference section that includes articles, songs, and names that the author presents in the read along with her commentary that will give one a deeper exploration of topics and issues' that is fascinating and a must-read. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Fumbled by Alexa Martin

Profile:

"A second chance doesn't guarantee a touchdown in this new contemporary romance from the author of Intercepted.

Single-mother Poppy Patterson moved across the country when she was sixteen and pregnant to find a new normal. After years of hard work, she's built a life she loves. It may include a job at a nightclub, weekend soccer games, and more stretch marks than she anticipated, but it's all hers, and nobody can take that away. Well, except for one person.

T.K. Moore, the starting wide receiver for the Denver Mustangs, dreamt his entire life about being in the NFL. His world is football, parties, and women. Maybe at one point he thought his future would play out with his high school sweetheart by his side, but Poppy is long gone and he's moved on.  

When Poppy and TK cross paths in the most unlikely of places, emotions they've suppressed for years come rushing back. But with all the secrets they never told each other lying between them, they'll need more than a dating playbook to help them navigate their relationship."

Title: Fumbled
Author: Alexa Martin
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Series: Playbook # 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:


"Fumbled" by Alexa Martin

My Rationalization...

This was an enjoyable read where you could identify with many of the characters and their problems. I liked how the author was able to bring out the tuff issues that are in our sports world today [brain injuries]. We find that Poppy was strong and independent but there were flaws acknowledged as she was only trying to do what was best for her son Ace. I will say that TK did grow on me but by the end, he was very much an OK guy and their son Ace was simply wonderful. "Fumbled" will definitely be a read that will have your 'conflicted and enthralled at the same time.' I loved the ending where the hero was able to handle his life and finally realized what was really important to him...Poppy and Ace.

I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.